Park Forest, IL–(ENEWSPF)– The chase began via car in Bradley, IL, but ended on foot in Park Forest when K-9 Officer Brix chomped hard, taking a bite out of crime.
On November 26 at 2:20 AM, Officers Morache and Sweitzer heard the Illinois State Police Radio Network broadcasting a vehicle pursuit involving the Bradley Police Department. The chase was quickly heading toward Park Forest. Several police units in Park Forest were alerted and responded.
According to the report, the vehicle was wanted in connection with a burglary. The driver was to be considered armed, according to police.
According to police, the pursuit ran from Bradley, IL, 30 miles south of Park Forest, up I-57. Officers then followed the vehicle as it exited onto Sauk Trail and entered Park Forest. The vehicle turned onto Oakwood and looped back to South Orchard Drive. The suspect then led police north on Orchard to Westwood Drive, where the driver opened the car door, bailing out of the moving vehicle. The car continued for about a quarter mile and came to a stop.
Meanwhile, the driver led police on a foot chase behind homes in the 100 block of Well Street and up to the EJ&E Railroad tracks.
Watch Commander Mel Dunnagan set up a perimeter assisted by Illinois State Police, Bradley Police and local area units. The South Suburban Emergency Response Team was called out to conduct a search for what was believed to be an armed subject. The Illinois Law Enforcement Emergency Alarm System car plan was activated by Commander Dunnagan and implemented by SouthCom, permitting Park Forest to receive more patrol units from the south suburb area police units. The request was made for ten additional patrol units.
K-9 Officer Schulman and his dog, Brix, were called out from home and were on the scene within fifteen minutes.
Because it was close to 3 a.m. and morning deliveries were soon expected, Ludeman Center was locked down to avoid any possibility of a hostage situation.
Aftern an extensive search, Brix successfully located the suspect, who refused multiple verbal commands to surrender, according to police. At this point, the dog was released.
“And K-9 Brix took a bite out of crime,” said Corporal Mel Dunnagan.
The suspect, Rodney D. Willis, 43, 800 W. Church St., Apt. 13, Champaign, IL, received a bite in the left buttock and was released to the Bradley Police Department. He refused medical treatment, according to police. Police recovered evidence of several burglaries from Willis’ vehicle, according to police. He was charged with commercial burglary, according to police.
Note: An arrest does not mean that a person is guilty. All those arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
